The Department of Animal Experimentation at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana, has successfully held a four-day training course on Laboratory Animal Care and Ethical Use in Biomedical Research (LACEBR) from 23rd to 26th September 2025.
Organised under the theme “Strengthening Ethical Standards and Technical Competence in Laboratory Animal Science for Biomedical Research in Ghana,” the course combined lectures, demonstrations, case studies, and hands-on practical sessions to deepen participants’ knowledge and skills in laboratory animal science.
Participants engaged in a hands-on session as part of the four-day training.
In welcoming the participants, the Institute Administrator, Mr. Ahuno, who represented the Director, Prof. Dorothey Yeaboah-Manu, emphasized the importance of building strong competencies and ethical foundations as the bedrock of quality biomedical research. He urged the trainees to approach the program with curiosity, openness, and commitment, and to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to strengthen their research, enrich their institutions, and contribute to global best practices in laboratory animal care and ethical use.
Delivering the keynote address on the topic Ethics and Animal care in Biomedical Research – A shared responsibility, the Vice Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Patrick Amoateng, emphasized the central role of ethics and welfare of animals used in biomedical research.
Vice Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Patrick Amoateng, delivering the keynote address.
The Head of Department, Animal experimentation, Dr. Samuel Adjei, emphasised the importance of strengthening ethical standards and building technical competence to advance biomedical research in Ghana.
The Head of Department, Animal experimentation, Dr. Samuel Adjei, delivering the opening remarks at the LACEBR training.
Topics covered during the training included animal welfare and humane practices, biosafety in animal facilities, ethics and legal frameworks, facility management, handling and restraint techniques, substance administration, blood collection, and organ harvesting. Experts from NMIMR and partner institutions facilitated the sessions.
Beyond technical expertise, the training emphasised responsibility, professionalism, and care, equipping participants to conduct research that is both scientifically sound and ethically compliant. By building local capacity, the LACEBR training is contributing to stronger research infrastructures and enhancing the credibility of biomedical research in Ghana and beyond.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Samuel Adjei highlighted that the initiative would not only strengthen ethical standards but also build capacity and promote the responsible use of laboratory animals in biomedical research across Ghana’s academic and research institutions. Participants were awarded certificates after successfully completing both written and practical assessments.
Dr. Samuel Adjei, highlighting the importance of ethical standards during his closing remarks.
A total of 19 participants from five leading universities—University for Development Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, and the University of Ghana—took part in the training.
Participants from five universities display their achievement at the close of the training on ethical use of animals in biomedical research.
Participants expressed appreciation for the highly practical nature of the sessions, noting that the training would significantly improve their research practices and encourage adherence to ethical standards in their home institutions.
A participant shares appreciation for the highly practical nature of the training sessions.
Looking ahead, the Department of Animal Experimentation announced plans to expand the training in subsequent editions to reach a wider network of researchers, thereby consolidating Ghana’s leadership in ethical biomedical research.
The Department reaffirmed its commitment to championing best practices in animal care and ethical research, thereby contributing to global standards in biomedical science.
Scenes from the four-day training on Laboratory Animal Care and Ethical Use in Biomedical Research.